Embracing Hope

Chapter 2

The Academy Under the Mountain

The next day Benjamin is sitting nervously at his desk, his tail flicking side to side, the potion sitting in his paws, where Karen, staring out the window, hums, listening to music in her earphones. He quickly pulls the cork and pushes the small bottle to his lips, gulping down the clear liquid. Mrs. Fukushima enters the room, dressed in her usual sporty attire. Stomping to the front she blows her whistle, pointing her digit towards Benjamin and lets out an annoyed growl."Alright kitty, you're up! Let's get this over with, then we can continue with today's lesson." Benjamin nods, stands up quickly and confidently, walks to the front of the class. Pulling out his wand, he stares intently towards the class, taking a breath.Let my voice be heard."Arra Kiseki Mora Soooshaa!" he sings out. Objects on the front desk start to hover, floating around as his voice fills the room and start flying around him quickly making Mrs. Fukushima duck. He flicks his wand as the objects float back to their original place."Well, it looks like this kitty can roar huh? Music magic is somethingdifferent I suppose, it's not unique or special, but it has its benefits in the skill departments. One being that you don't need ancient magic spells and words to activate it; it is something we can work on however, now go sit" The cheetah flicks her tail towards Benjamin who quickly moves back to his seat. Sitting down he lets out a sigh, relieved that the public display was over and proud of himself. He feels a tap on his arm and looking over Karen is leaning over herdesk to him."What the heck was that?? You've been hiding that cute voice from me!? We are definitely gotta sing together sometime." She gives him a playful wink. A growl from Mrs. Fukushima makes her turn backquickly. The cheetah crosses her arms, looking over the class."Alright class, today we are going to be doing broomstick athletics.Every witch and wizard can't rely on their magic and their ability to fly. What if you lose your broom? Fall mid-flight? What if you're trying to cast spells while also trying to control your broom? Today I will be showing how to handle these situations and assess your skills in the air. Everyone, to the oval!" The class assembles under the largelights on the oval. They stand in two lines facing each other, holding their brooms as Mrs. Fukushima strolls past like a drill sergeant. "I want each student to mount their brooms and fly around the trackthree times, each time speeding up." Karen is facing Benjamin and smiles as she sides-saddles her broomstick, shuffling, getting comfortable. Benjamin mounts his own broom nervously, grasping the stick between his paws. "Right, are there any questions?"Benjamin looks around hoping maybe someone would ask a question to prolong embarrassing himself in front of everyone. His eyes grow wider as no one raises their hand. He gulps raising his."Uh, I have one." He feels her glare on him which makes his fur stand up and she walks down the line towards him."Well what is it? Spit it out!" she snaps at him and is now standing over him, towering. He looks away nervously and makes a gesture with his paw. Mrs. Fukushima rolls her eyes and leans down as he whispers inaudibly, her face turning into surprise and disbelief. "What do you mean you're afraid of heights?" Some of the students muffle their laughter and snickers. Benjamin folds his ears back tugging his hat over his face, embarrassed as his legs squeeze the broom between them. Mrs. Fukushima realized then that she'd blurted this out."It was true, Someone had said they saw a student on the bus the other day but I didn't believe it...how embarrassing." one of the students whispers to another, their eyes burning into his fur, Ben pulls his hat down further, trying to cover his red face, closing his eyes and covering his ears, trying to block out their voices."What kind of mage is this kid? How can he even get in here without flying?" another student whispers. The cheetah blows her whistle loudly, causing the other students to cover their ears and wince out. Her whistle thuds on her chest and her voice echoes."ALRIGHT! That is enough. Stop it." Ben's broomstick makes a soft thud in the grass as he let go off it. Standing there he turns his head up, tears rolling down his face."What a sorry excuse for a wizard, look he's crying" another student mumbles to the annoyance of Mrs. Fukushima. He pulls the wand out of his robe while she blows her whistle again. Ben aims hiswand down below his feet and Karen steps out of the line trying to get across to him, calling out. "Ben, wait!" But she's too late and his voice catches her ears."Ris, Sa Ri." A cloud of smoke appears around him and for a split second nothing can be seen. Then, as it clears, there is now an empty spot where he stood. Karen pouts and turns back to one of the mocking students, punching them, barking angrily. Mrs Fukushimaquickly rushes to break up the fight.The large gothic hallway is gloomy with the only light breaking the darkness every few steps is from the tall windows. Benjamin walks down the hallway, tears still rolling down his cheeks. He can hear the voices of his classmates around him. Walking faster he tries to escape them but he feels them getting closer and closer until he's sprinting, running down the hallway, squeezing his eyes shut and holding his hat over his head. He suddenly bumps into something hard, yet soft. A loud grunt can be heard as Benjamin falls down onto the cold, dusty, stone floor."HEY! Watch it you stupid little-" The deep growling voice is immediately recognizable to Ben. Looking up his face covered in tears, Kinn is surprised seeing the small feline gripping his chest. Then he quickly sits up, rubbing his eyes and bowing his head apologetically."K-Kinn I'm," *sniff* "so sorry, I didn't," *sniff* "see you..."Benjamin stutters between sniffing back fresh tears and scrambling aside. Now even more embarrassed and scared about what Kinn would do to him, he races off. Kinn watches him leave and seeing his uniform covered in tears and snot. He frowns and lets out an annoyed grunt."That little..." He sighs letting his anger fade, looking down the hallat Benjamin who then pushes against a door. It creaks open. He enters the bathroom, crying still as he slams the stall shut, holding his legs, hugging his knees sitting on the toilet seat, sniffing and folding his ears back.'Why did I move...why did I think I could be...like them? Who am I kidding? I don't belong here.'A knock on the stall breaks his thought. With a startle he lifts his head."O-Occupied" He mumbles out as the knocking continues more firmly this time. Benjamin slowly reaches out nervously as an old voice comes from the other side."Mr Higeki, please come out, I think it's time we had a chat."Benjamin unlocks the door and sees the large panda looming over him from the door frame, dressed in his robe. The panda raises his paw, gesturing to the entrance "Eennyyo" A portal opening appears as he gestures again. Benjamin gulps nervously walking up and pushing a finger against the barrier. It sinks through and slowly he steps through the gate. Wooden floorboards creak as his shoes stepinto an office. Not just any teacher's office but the Headmaster's office, Gon appears through the portal before it closes and the large towering window now let's light fall over the desk, filling the office with the artificial brightness.Ben can see bookshelves, photo frames, trophies and broomsticks. Gon walks over to the chair at the desk, sits down and clears his throat. "Mr. Higeki, if you don't mind" he gestures again to the seat in front of the desk."B-But how did you do that?" Benjamin asks sitting down as a tray with tea and other assorted snacks float over to him. He takes a biscuit."I just uttered the words and knew in my mind where I wanted to go. Quite simple really, you'll learn about it in Third Year, but it is a difficult spell to use." The Headmaster waves his hand and the tray floats away. Benjamin is left sitting in the large seat as he takes abite of the biscuit, looking down."I'm sorry Headmaster, I left class without permission." He holds the biscuit in his paws and the panda smiles, taking a sip of his bamboo tea, leaning back in his own leather chair, pondering for a moment."Yes, I heard about what happened in Mrs. Fukushima's class. Don't be embarrassed about it, we have had many students not able to fly when they first come to this Academy do not think you are the first"he chuckles smirking and leaning back to him putting the cup down "That doesn't make you any less of a mage in any way, shape or form, we all have weaknesses. Here, at Astral Grove Academy, we pride ourselves on bettering our skills and building our students into the best mages they can be." The panda takes another sip of his teaand Benjamin sits across from him still nodding, before looking up."If I may ask, how did you know where I was?" That leads to another chuckle from the Headmaster. "I'm the Headmaster of this school, so you tell me." Ben was about to reply, but stopped himself knowing it would be dumb to question the Headmaster and he knew it made sense. "I know you are wondering...why...why did you come here, I know you didn't apply to come here. I doubt you had any intentionsof ever going to an Academy teaching magic at all, right?"Gon stands up and looks out the window for moment. He walks around the room as Ben nods, his paws grip his pants as the thuds of the panda's shoes fill his ears. "Higeki, that name holds some meaning around here. Your parents were one of the first mages to successfully master love magic, combining their powers and their abilities through love, using it to fight our greatest enemies and the Arch Witch when she dared to try to take our territories." He gazes over some framed portraits along the wall. Benjamin follows his gaze and his eyes fall upon one framed picture with his parents dressed in their uniform, posing for a photo, both wearing a necklace he had never seen before."I know they pressured you to come here, and I personally took care of your enrollment and accepted you, without an interview anddocumentation, which is probably foolish in the long run...But Ibelieved in you, I trust your parents with my life if it came down to it, and I trust their judgment" Gon turns his head, his eyes filled with a hopeful gleam, as Benjamin looks up from the chair."I-I don't want to sound rude headmaster... but I didn't want to attend here, I wanted to be at my parentsside, to be helpful, they are always busy with the council and off on trips, I want to see themmore and being here is taking me away from that" Ben says softly feeling homesick as Gon lets out a sympathetic sigh."Oh? But you are helping them, you are carrying on their legacy at Astral Grove, you are somewhere safe and familiar to them. I know you wanted to stay by them, they are very busy with council affairs and I know you being here is be a great weight off their shoulders knowing that you are getting a proper magical education." He says putting a hand on his shoulder encouragingly. "You're sensitive, that I can see very clearly, you are also kind at heart, too kind even... I will warn you there are some students from powerful families, they will always look down on you, I know you can prove your worth to them, however can you handle it?" The small feline flicks his ear and moves up to the desk, putting both paws over it, staring up to the panda."I will prove to them I am just as good as they are...as a wizard from the Higeki family." His eyes locked with the Headmaster's, showing a determined face."That's good to hear. Go now, head back to class and show them how strong you can be Mr. Higeki." The Headmaster holds his paw out and mutters the spell from before which causes the doorway tothe office to glow, as a portal open. Benjamin turns around facing it and steps up to it, but pauses looking back to Gon. who just smiles, waving. "Just have some hope, that's what we all need."Benjamin smiles, nods and turns back to face the portal, stepping through.The dark office turns bright as the floodlight washes over Ben as he breaks through the portal. His shoes step into the grass and a soft crunch can be heard. His eyes adjust he sees Mrs. Fukushima holding her paw over her eyes as she gazes up into the cavern above. He looks up and sees students flying through glowing rings. She claps, letting out encouraging cheers to students. Benjamin clears his throat and turning around, Mrs. Fukushima sees him standing there holding his broomstick, full of determination, she smiles a little."Oh, you're back from the Headmaster's office. I hope he gave you an appropriate punishment; never leave class without permission EVER. Got it kitty? Now since you uh haven't well gotten used toflying yet it might be best for you to focus on your running start. Before you take off you need a running start to build up some momentum." Benjamin nods and starts running towards the track. He mounts his broom and runs with it between his thighs, a little clumsily. Every few moments he jumps up trying to take off and lands back on his feet. He continues running. Mrs. Fukushima mutters, shaking her head."There's still some hope left for him."Benjamin and Karen look over the food offered for lunch. Strange creatures and weird-looking food lay on the table. Ben takes a small plate of rice and bowl of soup, (probably best to play it safe). The pair move to a table, sitting down as Karen takes a big loud slurp of her drink and grins, wagging her tail."Man you must be tired after running all that time on the track! I was worried you wouldn't come back after those idiots teased you. Don't worry though I taught them a thing or two." She holds her arms up making strong poses, giggling."Didn't Mrs. Fukushima have to break up that fight and now you are stuck on bathroom cleaning duty?" Benjamin teased a little as Karen stops making the pose. Reaching over she pinches his cheek as he meows out in pain."What was that scaredy cat?""N-Nothing!! Thank you for protecting me...""That's what I thought." Karen sits back and takes a bite out of a strange creature's leg, the meat and crispy skin crunching in her mouth, as Ben takes a bite of his food, chewing and swallowing."I wanted to show everyone I could be like them. Besides, when they can't run away from danger it will be their lazy fault, gotta bequick!" As he says this he snatches a piece of Karen's food which she scoffs at and barks at him, jumping up grabbing his cheeks as he chews quickly."Hey you little! give me my food back!" They struggle a little as Ben wriggles in the chair before a voice clears behind him. They look up."Nice to see you two getting settled here, I remember my first year at HarkHall was tough..." Satomi is smiling a little as she holds her tray of food and Karen lets out a scoff, sitting back."Tough? For you? The great Satomi...sure." Karen mutters, glaring back towards her food not paying much attention as Satomi lets out a dramatic, hurtful gasp."Karen, you cut me right to the core", she says in an over-dramatic tone, clearly being sarcastic, turning her head away and clutching her chest before glancing back. "Just because I come from a bigfamily doesn't mean it's easy for me to master magic. Besides, if famous families are something you are spiteful of, you might want to check right under the so-called skilled nose you have." Her eyes move to Ben for a brief moment, then she waves, turning around."See you later" she says, walking towards a group at another table. Karen now angrily sits chewing her food while glaring."What does she even know, dumb deer..." Karen growls out and stabs her food with her fork twisting it slightly."What's the issue? She was just teasing playfully right?" Benjamin says in a cheerful tone trying to cheer her up. Karen sighs looking up towards him, "I came here to make something of myself, for my family maybe, but I was tired of being put down by families likehers.." Ben stares into Karen's eyes trying not to show anyemotion that could give himself away and swallows before smiling again. "Satomi probably didn't mean anything by it Karen, besides I know you will be an amazing witch, just you wait" he encourages her."My family is famous for one thing.." Karen looks down to hide her face from him."Oh? Your family is famous?" Ben asks tilting his head, Karen smirks, leaning over to him."Oh yes! Famous for catching thieves and making them pay!" She quickly steals Benjamin's bowl of soup and slurps at it. With a dramatic cry he tries to get it back as she turns away,avoiding his paws until she puts the bowl down, letting out a small belch. Opening her eyes she sees Kinn right behind Benjamin.